"We are preparing new, entirely justified steps in response to Russia's prolongation of the war and its strikes against Ukraine," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

This week's letters come from readers writing about Ukraine — a Romanian journalist reporting from Kyiv on the rise of anti-immigrant sentiment, an American veteran on American support, and an investor questioning whether some foreign "investment" is being mistaken for genuine economic recovery. Got an opinion on anything you've read in the Kyiv Independent? Send it to letters@kyivindependent.com — your letter may appear in our Letters section. ‘Great news for Ukraine’s investment climate’ — W

According to the investigation, at least 26 service members died between late 2025 and spring 2026, many shortly after mobilization and training.

The Kyiv Independent’s Kateryna Hodunova speaks with Vasyl Korenovskyi, CEO of RoverTech, a Ukrainian defense technology company that develops unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs).

Despite the political uncertainty following Prime Minister Keir Starmer's resignation, Britain's support for Ukraine is unlikely to waver under Andy Burnham, the frontrunner to become the country's next leader and a consistent advocate for Kyiv. Since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to office last year, the United Kingdom has emerged as one of Ukraine's strongest backers, providing military, financial, and diplomatic support as Washington's commitment became less predictable. The prospect

Kryvyi Rih, one of the main industrial centers in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, came under a Russian ballistic missile attack at around 11 a.m. local time.

Ukrainian drones struck power infrastructure in occupied Crimea and a gas processing plant in Russia's Orenburg Oblast overnight on June 24, monitoring channels reported as Ukraine ramps up pressure on Russian energy infrastructure.

Russia launched 101 drones overnight, while Ukrainian air defenses downed or jammed 95 of them, the Air Force reported.

"This is a departure from where the Trump administration started its dialogue with us," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said.

In a Belarusian prison, it's a simple note — "We are with you" — hidden inside a chocolate bar from a volunteer aid package that can move political prisoners to tears. In their tightly monitored environment, where isolation itself is a form of punishment, such gestures take on an almost sacred significance. Hanna Komar's memoir "When I'm Out Of Here: Staying Human in a Dictator's Jail" details how these fleeting acts of solidarity become a means of holding on when living in an authoritarian reg

The number includes 1,260 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

At least 15 Russian regions introduced restrictions on fuel sales on June 23, according to reports from various local officials and media outlets.

"I would like to say a few words about matters that are not directly related to today's specific agenda items," the Russian leader said during a video conference with members of the government.

"We are seeing almost daily attacks on Crimea's energy infrastructure," occupation authority spokesperson Oleg Kryuchkov said.

Russia attempted to attack Ukraine's southwestern coast the morning of June 23, launching multiple unmanned surface vessels in the Black Sea, Defense Ministry Advisor Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov reported.

Russia "seek(s) to exploit fears related to corruption, security, identity, and economic costs" through online disinformation campaigns, according to a report published by Ukraine and the EU.

Key developments on June 23: * Ukraine destroys key logistics bridge in Crimea, hits over 60 Russian military targets overnight * Russian ballistic missile strike on Kryvyi Rih kills 3, injures 25 * Ukraine detains suspected intermediary in alleged Russian-backed plot to assassinate military intelligence official * South Korea to accept all North Korean POWs from Ukraine at their request, ministry says * Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov claims readiness for new peace talks at 'any time' *

Among the 15 children rescued over the past week was 13-year-old Sofia, who had to hide at home every day so the Russian occupation authorities would not discover that she was refusing to attend a school under Russian rule.

BRUSSELS, Belgium — June 23 marks four years since the EU formally agreed to grant Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia candidate status for future membership, a path that President Volodymyr Zelensky thought the country would be able to progress down rapidly, but which has turned out to be fraught with obstacles. In early 2026, Zelensky was repeating 2027 as a target date for Ukrainian entry to the EU, whereas new Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar said on June 3 he thinks 10-15 years is the times

Investigators believe the operation was coordinated under the supervision of Russian handlers.

The deaths, which occurred shortly after mobilization and training, have prompted allegations from relatives and former servicemen of inadequate medical care and, in some cases, physical abuse within the unit. Regiment commanders have rejected accusations of systemic wrongdoing.

A Russian-linked disinformation operation seeks to fan Polish-Ukrainian tensions amid the latest rift over historical grievances, a monitoring group told the Kyiv Independent on June 23.

"We are ready to resume (peace talks) at any time, picking up where they left off," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed.

In July 2024, serving as Ukraine's Ambassador to Poland, I was honored to be decorated by President Andrzej Duda with the Commander's Cross with the Star of the Order of Merit. For the trust, the fellowship, and the years of honest partnership — I remain profoundly grateful to my Polish friends. And it is in that same spirit of honesty that I ask them to understand what conscience now requires of me. My devotion to the interests of the Ukrainian state, my duty to honor the dignity of Ukraine's

Amid a wave of positive headlines about Russian refineries in flames and logistics crippled, the battle for the legendary "fortress belt" of Ukraine's Donbas region has begun in earnest, with Russian forces breaking into the city of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast and steadily overrunning the urban area. As the summer campaign opens up, Russian forces are bucking the trend of offensive stagnation across the rest of the front line and making real headway into the heart of Ukrainian-controlled D

A railway bridge across the North Crimean Canal, fuel facilities, and military infrastructure across occupied Crimea were struck in a large-scale overnight Ukrainian operation, Ukrainian military officials said on June 23.

President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Alexander Lukashenko that Belarus would have one week to remove the equipment facilitating Russia's attacks, or Kyiv would take action, remarks that the Kremlin said Lukashenko and his Russian counterpart would discuss "in the foreseeable future."

Twelve vessels transported wheat through the Russian-occupied port of Mariupol over the past five months, according to the statement.

"Our team has a clear task — to achieve concrete agreements that will enhance Ukraine’s defense capability and resilience, and expand economic cooperation with our partners," Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said on June 23.

The ministry said it opposes any forced transfer of North Korean POWs to Russia or North Korea and has communicated this position to Ukrainian authorities.

Russia launched 135 Shahed-type attack drones overnight on June 23, Ukraine's Air Force said.

Ukraine now believes it has secured White House backing for a campaign aimed at forcing Russia into meaningful negotiations, the Kyiv Independent has learned. U.S. President Donald Trump privately told President Volodymyr Zelensky to act "more boldly," a senior Ukrainian official told the Kyiv Independent. The message comes as Kyiv intensifies efforts to secure a meeting between Zelensky and Putin — an idea Trump has endorsed but one the Kremlin continues to avoid. "Trump says he doesn't real